Pickup-style work vehicle

ABSTRACT

A pickup-style work vehicle comprises a front driver&#39;s seat, a backseat, a loading floor that is located rearwardly of the backseat and that can be moved to a dumping position, a loading floor size changeover mechanism, and a backseat posture change mechanism. The loading floor size changeover mechanism changes the size of the loading floor between a first state in which a front wall portion and a front bottom portion of the loading floor are moved forwardly in a fore-and-aft direction and a second state in which the front wall portion and the front bottom portion of the loading floor are moved rearwardly in a fore-and-aft direction. The backseat posture change mechanism changes a posture of the backseat between a first posture which is a non-use state and a second posture which is a use state. The fore-and-aft dimension of the backseat in the first posture is less than a fore-and-aft dimension of the backseat in the second posture. the backseat in the first posture is located immediately forwardly of the loading floor in the first state and the backseat in the second posture is located immediately forwardly of the loading floor in the second state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pickup-style work vehicle having afront driver's seat, a backseat, and a loading floor that is arrangedrearwardly of the backseat and that can be moved to a dumping position.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional pickup-style work vehicle is known from U.S. Pat. No.6,994,388 (see FIG. 2, FIGS. 4-7), which has a front driver's seat(shown at 3 in FIG. 2), a backseat (shown at 4 in FIG. 2) and a loadingfloor (shown at 2 in FIG. 2) that is arranged rearwardly of the backseatand that can be moved a dumping position. In this work vehicle, a spacefor the backseat, when pivoted rearwardly, is created by moving theattachment position of a divider (shown at 5 in FIG. 2 of the patent)rearwardly, and by moving the front side wall rearwardly (shown at 21 ofFIGS. 6 and 7). This allows the backseat to be pivoted rearwardly to itsuse state (a configuration in which passengers can sit on the backseat).

In the known work vehicle mentioned above, the use state in which thebackseat is pivoted rearwardly (a configuration in which passengers cansit on the backseat) is achieved by laying the backseat on the bottom ofthe loading floor (shown at 20 in FIGS. 6 and 7) without moving thefront part of the bottom of the floor rearwardly. Therefore, since theloading floor interferes with the backseat, it was not possible for theloading floor to be moved to its dumping position when the backseat isin the use state in which the backseat is pivoted rearwardly (aconfiguration in which passengers can sit on the backseat). (See FIGS. 4and 5.)

As a result, with this work vehicle, the loading floor needs to be movedto its dumping position after checking the state or the configuration ofthe backseat or after the backseat is raised forwardly to its non-usestate. Therefore, there exists a problem where it is difficult toperform the dumping operation of the loading floor simply and quickly,reducing efficiency of the dumping operation of the loading floor.Further, there exits an additional problem that the backseat may bedamaged if the loading floor is moved to its dumping positionaccidentally when the backseat is in the use state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a pickup-style workvehicle that has a loading floor that can be moved to a dumping positionwithout having to move the backseat from its use position, thusimproving efficiency of a dumping operation.

To achieve the object described above, a pickup-style work vehicle inaccordance with the present invention comprises: a front driver's seat,a backseat, a loading floor located rearwardly of the backseat, theloading floor capable of being moved to a dumping position, a loadingfloor size changeover mechanism that changes a size of the loading floorbetween a first state in which a front wall portion and a front bottomportion of the loading floor are moved forwardly in a fore-and-aftdirection of a vehicle and a second state in which the front wallportion and the front bottom portion of the loading floor are movedrearwardly in the fore-and-aft direction, a backseat posture changemechanism that changes a posture of the backseat between a first posturewhich is a non-use state and a second posture which is a use state, afore-and-aft dimension of the backseat in the first posture being lessthan the fore-and-aft dimension of the backseat in the second posture.The backseat in the first posture is located immediately forwardly ofthe loading floor in the first state and the backseat in the secondposture is located immediately forwardly of the loading floor in thesecond state.

With this configuration, the front wall portion and the front bottomportion of the loading floor are moved rearwardly when the loading flooris changed from the first state to the second state. With the loadingfloor in the second state, the posture of the backseat is changed to thesecond posture and the backseat in its use state then can be positionedin a space created by rearwardly moving the front wall portion and thefront bottom portion of the loading floor. Since the front bottomportion of the loading floor is moved rearwardly when the loading flooris moved to the second state, the front bottom portion will not belocated underneath the backseat in the second posture. Therefore, evenwhen the front bottom portion is lifted during a dumping operation ofthe loading floor in the second state, the raising front bottom portionwill not interfere with the backseat in the second posture, thusallowing for a dumping operation of the loading floor without having tomove the backseat out of the use state which is the second state.

In the present pickup-style work vehicle, the loading floor can be movedto a dumping position without having to check the state of the backseator to change the backseat from the second posture to the first posture.This makes a dumping operation simpler and quicker, thus improvingefficiency of the dumping operation of the loading floor. In addition,since the loading floor during a dumping operation will not interferewith the backseat in the second posture, any damage to the backseat canbe prevented.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the description provided below with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the entire pickup style work vehicle switchedto the double-row seat mode;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the entire pickup style work vehicle switchedto the single-row seat mode;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the entire pickup style work vehicle switchedto the double-row seat mode;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the area adjacent the loading floor in theextended state;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the area adjacent the loading floor in theshortened state;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the loading floor in the extended state;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the loading floor;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the front part of the loading floor in theextended state;

FIG. 9A is a drawing showing details of the connecting structure of thefront bottom portion and the front side wall portion;

FIG. 9B is a drawing showing details of the connecting structure of thefront bottom portion and the front side wall portion;

FIG. 10A is a drawing showing details of the connecting structure of thefront wall;

FIG. 10B is a drawing showing details of the connecting structure of thefront wall;

FIG. 11A is a vertical sectional side view showing the structure aroundthe first locking device;

FIG. 11B is a vertical sectional side view showing the structure aroundthe first locking device;

FIG. 12A is a drawing showing details of the structure around the secondlocking device;

FIG. 12B is a drawing showing details of the structure around the secondlocking device;

FIG. 13A is a schematic perspective view showing a size change of theloading floor;

FIG. 13B is a schematic perspective view showing the size change of theloading floor;

FIG. 13C is a schematic perspective view showing the size change of theloading floor;

FIG. 14 is a side view of an area around the partition member;

FIG. 15 is a lateral plan view of an area around the partition member;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of an area around the partition member;

FIG. 17A is a vertical sectional rear view showing the support structureof an upper portion of the partition member;

FIG. 17B is a vertical sectional rear view showing the support structureof an upper portion of the partition member;

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the structure of the rear lock mechanismof the rear seat bottom;

FIG. 19 is a rear view showing the structure of the rear lock mechanismof the rear seat bottom;

FIG. 20A is a schematic perspective view showing a size change structureof the loading floor in accordance with a different embodiment;

FIG. 20B is a schematic perspective view showing a size change structureof the loading floor in accordance with a different embodiment;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Overall Configuration of theWork Vehicle]

The overall configuration of the pickup style work vehicle in accordancewith the first embodiment of the present invention is described nextwith reference to FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is an overall side view of the workvehicle in the double-row seat mode, and FIG. 2 is an overall side viewof the work vehicle in single-row seat mode. FIG. 3 is an overall planview of the work vehicle in the double-row seat mode. As shown in FIGS.1-3, the vehicle body 1 is provided with steerable right and left frontwheels 3 supported by the front part of the vehicle body frame 2, andnon-steerable right and left rear wheels 4 which are supported by therear part of the vehicle body frame 2, and is a four-wheel drivevehicle.

The vehicle body 1 has, in its intermediate or midway area in thefore-and-aft direction (i.e. a forward and rearward direction), adriving section 5 whose mode can be changed between a double-row seatmode (a four-or-five-seater mode) shown in FIG. 1 in which passengerscan sit in the front driver's seat 13 and the backseat 14, and asingle-row mode (two-seater mode) shown in FIG. 2 in which passengerscan sit in the front driver's seat 13. Behind the driving section 5 is arear loading section 6 having a loading floor 40, which can be changedbetween an extended state and a shortened state described below, andwhich can be moved to a dumping position for dumping materials. Locatedbetween the driving section 5 and the rear loading section 6 is apartition member 90 that divides the driving section 5 and the rearloading section 6 (and that forms a back wall of the driving section 5).

The engine E, which functions as a source of driving force of the workvehicle, is located in a rear lower part of the vehicle body frame 2 anda transmission case 8 is connected to the rear of the engine E. Thetransmission case 8 has a hydrostatic continuously variable transmissionHST (not shown), and the right and left rear wheels 4 are operativelyconnected to the right and left sides of the transmission case 8respectively. Thus, the power from the engine E is transmitted to thehydrostatic continuously variable transmission through the transmissioncase 8. The right and left rear wheels 4 are rotated by the power thatis continuously varied by the hydrostatic continuously variabletransmission.

A front-wheel drive axis 9 extends forwardly from the transmission case8, and the right and left front wheels 3 are operatively connected tothe front-wheel drive axis 9 through a front-wheel differential geardevice (not shown). Thus, the power from engine E is transmitted to thefront-wheel differential device through the hydrostatic continuouslyvariable transmission and the transmission case 8 to rotate the rightand left front wheels 3.

The front part of the vehicle body 1 has a front cover 10, and thisfront cover 10 includes a top cover 10 a which covers the front part ofthe vehicle body 1 from above, and a lower cover 10 b which covers thefront part of the vehicle body 1 from the front and the side. Attachedto the rear of the front cover 10 is a console panel 11 which covers thefront side of the driving section 5. A steering wheel 12 for steeringthe right and left front wheels 3 extends from the left-hand side partof this console panel 11.

The vehicle body frame 2 has right and left main frames 20 that arepipes that are long in the fore-and-aft direction and have rectangularcross sections, and a front frame 21 extending between the front upperparts of the right and left main frames 20 and extending to and betweenthe right and left edges of the body frame 2.

Right and left pipe frames 22, that also serve as handrails for gettingon and off the vehicle, extend upwardly from the right-and-left rearportions of the front frame 21. The right and left support frames 23,that are pipes extending long in the vertical direction and haverectangular cross sections, extend from the right and left rear portionsof the front frame 21.

A part of right and left pipe frames 22 and the right and left supportframes 23 are covered by the box-like front seat support panel 24, andthe front driver's seat 13 is fixed to this front seat support panel 24.The front driver's seat 13 includes a front seat bottom 13 a fixed tothe front portion of the front seat support panel 24, and a seat back 13b fixed to the middle support column 32 of ROPS (Roll Over ProtectiveStructure) 30 described below.

Right and left backseat support frames 25 that are pipes withrectangular cross sections extend from the back end portion of the rightand left main frames 20, and right and left rear frames 26, that arepipes with rectangular cross sections and are elongate in thefore-and-aft direction, extend rearwardly from an upper portions of thebackseat support frames 25. The right and left side frames 27, which areround pipes formed into frames, span between and fixed to the right andleft main frames 20 and the right and left rear frames 26.

The front deck board 28 is fixed to the upper surface of the main frames20 forwardly of the pipe frames 22, thereby defining a floor top of thefront portion of the driving section 5. The rear deck board 29 is fixedto the upper surface of the main frame 20 forwardly of the backseatsupport frames 25, thereby defining a floor top of the rear portion ofthe driving section 5.

The backseat 14 is fixed to upper parts of the backseat support frames25. The backseat 14 includes a rear seat bottom 14 a supported by theupper end portions of the backseat support frames 25 so as to bepivotable forwardly and rearwardly, and a seat back 14 b fixed to thefront side of the partition member 90 described below.

ROPS 30 includes a front support column 31, a middle support column 32,and right and left rear support columns 34, and thus is of a six-pillartype. The right and left brackets 21 a are fixed to the right and leftparts of the upper part of the front frame 21, the front support column31 formed of round pipe material is fixed to the right and left brackets21 a. The middle support column 32 formed of a round pipe material isfixed to the upper part of the right and left support frames 23.

The first right and left brackets 31 a are fixedly attached to the upperpart of the front support column 31, and forwardly facing right and leftsecond brackets 32 a are fixedly attached to the right and left parts inthe upper part of the middle support column 32. Right and left top frontframes 33 formed of a round pipe material extend between and arefastened to be fixed to the first right and left brackets 31 a and thesecond right and left brackets 32 a. The reinforcing frames 32 c arefixed to the lower parts of the right and left vertical frame portions32 b of the middle support column 32 and the reinforcing frames 32 cfunction as handrails for the passengers sitting in the backseat 14.

The attachment brackets 32 d are fixed to the reinforcing frames 32 c,and the seat back 13 b of the front driver's seat 13 is fastened andfixed to the front side of the attachment brackets 32 d (see FIG. 14).

The top rear frame 35 is formed of a round pipe material, and thedownward-facing right and left third brackets 33 a are attached to frontportions of this top rear frame 35. The third right and left brackets 33a are fastened to be removably fixed to the right and left portions ofthe upper part of the middle support column 32.

The left rear support column 34 formed of a round pipe material extendsto the left and upwardly from and removably fixed to the left-hand sideof the left rear frame 26, and the right rear support column 34 formedof a round pipe material extends to the right and upwardly from andremovably fixed to the right hand side of the right rear frame 26. Thefourth downward brackets 35 a are fastened and fixed to the right andleft portions of the rear of the top rear frame 35, and the upper endsof the right and left rear support columns 34 are fastened to beremovably fixed to the fourth right and left brackets 35 a.

Right and left handrails 34 a formed of a round pipe material are 5fixedly attached to the lower parts of the right and left rear supportcolumns 34, and these right and left handrails 34 a may be grasped, forexample, to assist in getting on and off the backseat.

The ROPS 30 of the six-pillar type can be changed into a ROPS of afour-pillar type by removing the right and left rear support columns 34from the right and left rear frames 26, and removing the top rear frame35 from the middle support column 32 since the rear support columns 34and the top rear frame 35 are removably attached.

[Structural Detail of the Loading Floor]

The structural detail of the loading floor 40 is described next withreference to FIGS. 4-12. FIG. 4 is a side view around the loading floor40 in its extended state described below, and FIG. 5 is a side viewaround the loading floor 40 in its shortened or retracted statedescribed below. FIG. 6 is a bottom view (i.e. the loading floor 40 asseen from the bottom) of the loading floor 40 in the extended statedescribed below, FIG. 7 is a rear view of the loading floor 40, and FIG.8 is a side view of a forward portion of the loading floor 40 in theextended state described below.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are drawings showing details of the connecting structureof a front bottom portion 42 and a front side wall portion. And moreparticularly, FIG. 9A is a plan view showing the connecting portion ofthe front bottom portion 42 and the front side wall portion 45, and FIG.9B is a cross sectional plan view showing the connecting portion of thefront bottom portion 42 and the front side wall portion 45. FIGS. 10Aand 10B are drawings showing details of the connecting structure of thefront wall portion 46. And more particularly, FIG. 10A is a front viewshowing the connecting portion of the front wall portion 46, and FIG. 9Bis a plan view showing the connecting portion of the front wall portion46.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are vertical sectional side views (as seen from theinside) showing the structure around the first locking device 70,wherein FIG. 11A is a vertical sectional side view of the first lockingdevice 70 in the locked state, and FIG. 11B is a vertical sectional sideview of the first locking device 70 in its unlocked state. FIGS. 12A and12B are drawings showing details of the structure around the secondlocking device 80, and in particular, FIG. 12A is a vertical sectionalside view of the area adjacent the second locking device 80 of theloading floor 40 in the extended state, and FIG. 12B is the plan view ofthe second locking-device 80 of the loading floor 40 in a shortenedstate.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the loading floor 40 is provided with thefollowing: a rear bottom portion 41 for carrying the materials to beloaded, the front bottom portion 42 for carrying the materials, the rearwall portion 43 that defines the rear surface of the loading floor 40,the right and left rear side wall portions 44 which define or form thesides of the rear portions of the loading floor 40, the right and leftforward side wall portions 45 which define the sides of the frontportion of the loading floor 40, and the front wall portion 46 thatdefines the front surface of the loading floor 40. The state orconfiguration of the loading floor 40 can be changed between theextended state (or the first state), shown in FIG. 4, in which the frontportion of the loading floor 40 (the front wall portion 46, the forwardside wall portions 45, the front bottom portion 42) is moved forwardlyso that the length of the loading floor 40 is extended and the shortenedstate (or the second state), shown in FIG. 5, in which the front portionof the loading floor 40 (the front wall portion 46, the forward sidewall portions 45, the front bottom portion 42) is moved rearwardly sothat the length of the loading floor 40 is shortened.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the rear bottom portion 41 has aplurality of frames fixedly attached to the underside of the rear deckboard 41 a, and the upper surface of the rear deck board 41 a defines aflat deck surface, without unevenness, for carrying loaded materials.Right and left rear main frames 41 b that are long in the fore-and-aftdirection are fixedly attached to the right and left side portions ofthe undersurface of the rear deck board 41 a, and the verticalplate-like hinges 50 are fixedly attached to the rear portion of theright and left rear main frame 41 b.

The brackets 51 are fixedly attached to the upper parts of the rearportions of the rear frames 26, and the hinge 50 of each of the rearmain frames 41 b is pivotably supported by the bracket 51 through ahinge pin 52 about the axis P1 extending in a lateral or aright-and-left direction.

A pair of right and left rod side brackets 53 are fixedly attached to alaterally central area of the front end portion of the rear bottomportion 41. A support frame 26 a formed of a round pipe material extendsbetween and fixedly attached to the right and left rear frames 26 and apair of right and left tube side brackets 26 b are fixedly attached to alaterally central area of this support frame 26 a (see FIG. 3).

The right and left rear support frames 26 c are connected with the rightand left portions of the support frame 26 a, and the front portions ofthe right and left rear support frames 26 c extend downwardly andforwardly and are connected with the right and left main frames 20, etc.

The front support members 16 made of rubber or resin are fixed to theupper surfaces of the front ends of the right and left rear frames 26.When the loading floor 40 in the extended state is lowered, the frontmain frames 42 b described below are supported by the front supportmembers 16, and thus, the front of the loading floor 40 in the extendedstate is supported by the rear frame 26. The rear support members 17made of rubber or resin are fixed to the upper surfaces of central areasin the fore-and-aft direction of the right and left rear frame 26. Andwhen the loading floor 40 in the extended state or the shortened stateis lowered, the rear main frames 42 b are supported by the rear supportmembers 18, and thus, the central portion in the fore-and-aft directionof the loading floor 40 in the extended state and the front portion ofthe loading floor 40 in the shortened state are supported by the rearframes 26.

The seat support members 18 are fixed to the upper surfaces of the frontportions of the right and left rear frames 26, and the rear portion ofthe rear seat bottom 14 a in a prone posture, described below, issupported by this seat support member 18. The heights of the upper endof the front and the rear support members 16 and 17 are set at the sameheight, and the height of the upper ends of the seat support members 18is set to be lower than the height of the upper ends of the front andthe rear support members 16 and 17. This forms a predetermined space “a”between the upper surface of the seat support members 18 and the frontmain frames 42 b.

A hydraulic raising and lowering cylinder 15 which raises and lowers theloading floor 40 extends between and attached to the rod side bracket 53and the tube side bracket 26 b. The raising and lowering cylinder 15 isa double acting cylinder, and its piston rod side and the piston headside are connected to the operation valve (not shown) through hydraulicconduits. Thus, hydraulic fluid under pressure is supplied from theoperation valve to the piston head side by operating a loading-platformraising and lowering lever or a loading-platform raising and loweringswitch (not shown) provided in the driving section 5, the raising andlowering cylinder 15 extends to raise the loading floor 40. Conversely,hydraulic fluid under pressure is supplied from the operation valve tothe piston rod side by operating the loading-platform raising andlowering lever or a loading-platform raising and lowering switchprovided in the driving section 5, the raising and lowering cylinder 15is shortened or retracted to lower the loading floor 40.

Each of the right and left rear side wall portions 44 includes arectangular-pipe-shaped front support column 44 a, a rectangular pipeshaped rear support column 44 c, and a rear side panel 44 b that extendsbetween and fixedly attached to the front support column 44 a and therear support column 44 c. The rear side panel 44 b is formed by bendingor press-bending a row material. The right and left rear side wallportions 44 are fixed to the upper surfaces of the right and left endsor edges of the rear deck board 41 a.

The right and left brackets 54 are fastened and fixed to the back endportions of the rear bottom portion 41, and the rear wall portion 43 ispivotably supported by the back end portion of the bracket 54 about alaterally extending axis P2.

The opening-and-closing lever 55 is pivotably supported by the upperpart of the right and left portions of the rear wall portion 43 aboutthe axis extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and a metal fitting 56which engages with the lock portion 55 a of the opening-and-closinglever 55 is fixed to an upper part of a rear support column 44 c of therear side wall portion 44. An elastic spring 57 is arranged between theopening-and-closing lever 55 and the rear wall portion 43, and the lockportion 55 a of the opening-and-closing lever 55 is urged by the elasticspring 57 in a direction to engage the metal fittings 56. The rear wallportion 43 can be pivoted to be opened rearwardly to a top-openorientation and closed by pivoting the control member 55 b of theopening-and-closing lever 55 against the urging force of the elasticspring 57.

A hook 58 is fixedly attached to a rear support column 44 c of the rearside wall portion 44, and an end portion of the wire 59 is pivotablysupported by a side of the rear wall portion 43 about a laterallyextending axis. Thus, when the rear wall portion 43 is pivotedrearwardly with the other end portion of the wire 59 hooked on the hook58, the range of a downward pivot of the rear wall portion 43 is limitedby the wire 59 so that the rear wall portion 43 and the deck face of therear deck board 41 a are maintained to be flush with each other. On theother hand, when the rear wall portion 43 is pivoted rearwardly with theother end portion of the wire 59 is released from the hook 58, the rearwall portion 43 will pivot to a straight-down orientation.

The front bottom portion 42 has a plurality of frames fixedly attachedto the underside of the front deck board 42 a, and the upper surface ofthe front deck board 42 a defines a flat deck surface, withoutunevenness, for carrying loaded materials, that is flush with the reardeck plate 41 a. Right and left front main frames 42 b, that are long inthe fore-and-aft direction, are fixedly attached to the right and leftportions of the underside of the front deck board 42 a. The right andleft front main frames 42 b are arranged to be at the same positions asthe right and left rear main frames 41 b in the lateral direction, andthe height of the undersurface of the right and left front main frames42 b is set to be the same height as the height of the undersurface ofthe right and left rear main frames 41 b.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, vertical and plate-like right and leftbrackets 61 are fastened and fixed to the right and left end portions ofa front portion of the rear bottom portion 41, and vertical plate-likebrackets 62 are fixed to the right and left end portions of the rearportion of the front bottom portion 42. Each of the right and leftbrackets 62 of the front bottom portion 42 is supported by therespective bracket of the rear bottom portion 41 through a disk orconical spring 64 so as to be pivotable about an axis of a laterallyextending pin 63. Thereby, the front bottom portion 42 is supported tobe vertically pivotably by the front end of the rear bottom portion 41about a laterally extending axis a.

A plate-shaped member 65 having a band-plate shape that is long in thelateral direction is fixed to the underside of a rear end portion of thefront deck board 42 a, and a plate-shaped member 45 d having aband-plate shape that is long in the fore-and-aft direction is fixed tothe underside of each of the right and left front side wall portions 45.Because of this structure, when the front bottom portion 42 is pivotedforwardly from an elected or upstanding position about the laterallyextending axis a, the plate-shaped member 65 abuts the forward undersideof the rear deck board 41 a, and the right and left side portions of thefront deck board 42 a abut the upper surfaces of the right and leftplate-shaped members 45 d. And the front bottom portion 42 is maintainedin a proper position in which the upper surface of the front deck board42 a is flush with the upper surface of the rear deck board 41 a.

In this case, the gap between the back end of the front deck board 42 aand the front end of the rear deck board 41 a is closed by theplate-shaped member 65, and the gaps between the front deck board 42 aand the front side wall portions 45 are closed by 45 d of plate-shapedmembers. This structure prevents loaded materials from falling fromthese gaps.

Each of the forward side wall portions 45 includes a rectangularpipe-shaped front support column 45 a, a vertical plate-like rear frame45 c, and a front side panel 45 b that extends between and fixedlyattached to the front support column 45 a and the front side panel 45 b.The front side panel 45 b is formed by bending or press-bending a rowmaterial. Upper and lower brackets 66 are fixed to the rear surface ofeach of the rear frames 45 c of the forward side wall portions 45. Theframe 67, whose the upper and the lower end portions are bent inwardly,is fixed to the front side of the front support column 44 a of each ofthe rear side wall portions 44. The upper and lower brackets 66 fixed tothe rear frame 45 c are supported to the frame 67 by the pin 68 to bepivotable about a vertically extending axis b. Thereby, each of theforward side wall portion 45 is supported by the front end of the rearside wall portion 44 to be pivotable laterally or to the right and leftabout the vertically extending axis b.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the front wall portion 46 includes right andleft side frames 46 a having a vertical plate shape, and a front panel46 b which extends between and fixedly attached to the side frames 46 a.The front panel 46 b is formed by bending or press-bending a rowmaterial. The lower end portion of each side frame 46 a extends to apoint lower than the front panel 46 b.

A frame 42 c having an L-shaped vertical cross section is fixedlyattached to the front end of the front deck board 42 a, and a bracket 69having an L-shaped lateral cross-section is fixed to each of the rightand left ends of this frame 42 c. The laterally extending pin 69 a isfixedly attached to the bracket 69, and the lower end portion of theside frame 46 a is supported by this pin 69 a to be rotatable about thelaterally extending axis c. Thereby, the front wall portion 46 issupported by the front end of the front bottom portion 42 to bepivotable forwardly and rearwardly about the laterally extending axis c.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the upper parts of the right and leftportions of the front wall portion 46 have first locking devices 70 thatfix or lock the front wall portion 46 to the right and left forward sidewall portions 45. Each of the first locking devices 70 includes abracket 71, an operating member 72, and an elastic spring 73. Thebracket 71 has a downwardly opening bracket-shape as seen from the frontand is fixedly attached to the front panel 46 b of the front wallportion 46. The laterally extending through hole is formed in thebracket 71, and the operating member 72 is inserted into this throughhole.

A laterally extending lock hole 45A is formed in the upper part of thefront support column 45 a of each of the forward side wall portions 45,and the distal end portion of the operating member 72 is adapted toenter the lock hole 45A. With this structure, the upper parts of theright and left portions of the front wall portion 46 are supported bythe right and left forward side wall portion 45 by the engagement of thedistal end portion of the operating member 72 with the lock hole 45A.

A bar-shaped positioning member 72 a is fixed to the operating member72, and an elastic spring 73 which urges the operating member 72laterally outwardly is arranged between the positioning member 72 a andthe bracket 71. An forwardly opening hole or recess portion 71 a isformed in the upper surface of the bracket 71. And the operating member72 can be held in the position where the operating member 72 is pulledinwardly (lock release state of the first locking device 70) by pullingthe control member 72 b of the operating member 72 inwardly against theurging force of the elastic spring 73, and by pivoting the operatingportion 72 b of the operating member 72 upwardly to engage thepositioning member 72 a with the hole portion 71 b.

With the distal end portion of the operating member 72 aligned with thelock hole 45A of the front support column 45 a, by pivoting theoperating portion 72 b of the operating member 72 downwardly from theposition in which the positioning member 72 a engages the hole portion71 b of the bracket 71, the distal end portion of the operating member72 is inserted into the lock hole 45A of the front support column 45 aby the urging force of the elastic spring 73, thereby, the upper partsof the right and left portions of the front wall portion 46 aresupported by the right and left forward side wall portions 45 (lockstate of the first locking device 70).

A positioning mechanism 74A is provided below one or both of the firstlocking-devices 70. The positioning mechanism 74 includes a plate-shapedmember 75 fixed to the front side of the front support column 45 a, andan engaging piece 76 fixed to the side frame 46 a of the front wallportion 46. The plate-shaped member 75 includes an inserted member 75 amade of resin, which is fit into the member 75, and the hole portionformed in this inserted member 75 a, to be engaged with the engagingpiece 76.

When the front wall portion 46 is pivoted upwardly to its erect orupstanding position from the forwardly extending prone position aboutthe laterally extending axis C, the engaging piece 76 fixed to the frontwall portion 46 enters the hole portion of the inserted member 75 afixed to the forward side wall portion 45 side, whereby, the front wallportion 46 and the forward side wall portion 45 are aligned with eachother in the lateral direction. When this occurs, since the incliningportion 76 a is formed in the distal end portion of the engaging piece76, the distal end portion of the engaging piece 76 guided by thisinclining portion 76 a enters the hole portion of the inserted member 75a without difficulty.

In addition, the front ends of the side frames 46 a of the front wallportion 46 abut the rear surface of the inserted member 75 a, wherebythe front wall portion 46 and the forward side wall portion 45 areappropriately positioned in the fore-and-aft direction. Thereby, theposition of the front end of the operating member 72 and the position ofthe lock hole 45A of the front support column 45 a can be aligned orpositioned correctly.

For example, even if a force from the loaded materials on the loadingfloor 40 acts on the front of the forward side wall portion 45 to pivotit laterally outwardly about the vertically extending axis b, theengagement between the plate-shaped member 75 and the engaging piece 76will be able to support and counter such force that tends to pivot theforward side wall portion 45 laterally outwardly. Also, even if a forcefrom the loaded materials on the loading floor 40 acts on an upperportion of the forward wall portion 46 to pivot ti forwardly about thelaterally extending axis c, the abutment between the forward ends of theside frames 46 a and the back surface of the inserted member 75 a willbe able to support and counter such forwardly pivoting force. Thus, thepositioning member 74 can also function as a connection reinforcementmember for the front wall portion 46 and the forward side wall portions45, whereby the strength of the loading floor 40 can be improved.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a laterally extending through hole is formedin a forward upper area of each of the rear side panels 44 b of the rearside wall portions 44, and a boss member 77 made of resin is fit intothis through hole. A laterally extending lock hole 77A is formed in theboss member 77, and the inside diameter of this lock hole 77A isdimensioned to accommodate a distal or free end of the operating member72 of the first locking device 70 without difficulty. The positioning ofeach of the boss member 77 (lock hole 77A) is set to be at such aposition that, when the first locking devices 70 are operated to thelock state with the front bottom portion 42 and the front wall portion46 raised together to their upstanding positions, the distal end portionof each of the operating members 72 enters the respective lock hole 77Aso that the front bottom portion 42 and the front wall portion 46 remainin their substantially upstanding positions.

This arrangement allows the first locking device 70 for fixing the frontwall portion 46 to the right and left forward side wall portions 45 inthe extended state of the loading floor 40 to also function as a lockingdevice for fixing the front wall portion 46 and the front bottom portion42 to the rear side wall portions 44 when the loading floor 40 in itsshortened state (in which the front wall portion 46 and the front bottomportion 42 are raised together).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, provided on the underside of the right andleft portions of the front deck board 42 a are second locking devices 80for fixing inner side end positions of the forward side wall portions 45to the front bottom portion 42 when the front bottom portion 42 israised rearwardly and the forward side wall portions 45 are foldedinwardly of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 12A, each second locking device 80 includes a bracket81, a pivot 82, a pivot arm 84, and an elastic spring 85. The bracket 81is fixedly attached to the undersurface of the front deck board 42 a.Laterally facing right and left through holes are formed in the bracket81, and the pivot 82 is inserted in the through holes. A verticallyextending attachment hole is formed in the bracket 81, and a rubber orcushion member 83 made of resin is internally fit in this attachmenthole.

A plate-like pivot arm 84 is supported, at the right-hand side end ofthe pivot 82, to be pivotable about the laterally extending axis of thepivot 82. An elastic spring 85 is attached between the front deck board42 a and the pivot arm 84 in the pivot 82, and the pivot arm 84 is urgedby this elastic spring 85 counterclockwise in FIG. 12A about the axis ofthe pivot 82.

A lock pin 78 that extends in the fore and aft direction is fixedlyattached to an upper portion of each of the front support columns 45 aof the forward side wall portion 45 (see FIG. 11A and 11B). Formed inthe lower part of the pivot arm 84 are an engaging portion 84 a forengaging the lock pin 78 of the front support column 45 a, a guideportion 84 b that is inclined upwardly and rearwardly for guiding thelock pin 78 of the front support column 45 a, and an operating portion84 c bent inwardly from the pivot arm 84. An abutting portion 84 d forabutting the front deck board 45 a to restrict the pivoting range of thepivot arm 84 is formed in an upper portion of the pivot arm 84.

Since the abutting portion abuts the under side of the front deck board45 a by the urging force of the elastic spring 85, the pivot arm 84 canpivot about the axis of the pivot 82 in the clockwise direction in FIG.12A from the position shown in FIG. 12A.

When a front side wall 46 is folded or pivoted inwardly of the vehiclebody with the front deck 45 raised rearwardly to its upstanding positionas shown in FIG. 12B, the lock pin 78 of the front side wall 46 abutsthe guide portion 84 b of the pivot arm 84 to pivot the pivot arm 84upwardly about the laterally extending axis of the pivot 82. And whenthe lock pin 78 of the front side wall 46 is moved back further, thepivot arm 84 is pivoted downwardly about the laterally extending axis ofthe pivot 82 by the urging force of the elastic spring 85, and theengaging portion 84 a of the pivot arm 84 engages the lock pin 78 of theforward side wall portion 45 (i.e. the second locking device 80 in lockstate).

When this occurs, since the front support column 45 a of each of theforward side wall portions 45 abuts the cushion member 83, the frontsupport column 45 a is held between the cushion member 83 and theengaging portion 84 a of the pivot arm 84 without any gap in the foreand aft direction. This prevents the inner side ends of the forward sidewall portions 45 from moving and rattling when the front bottom portion42 is pivoted rearwardly to its upstanding position and the forward sidewall portions 45 are folded inwardly of the vehicle body.

Thus, the inner side ends of the forward side wall portions 45 can befixed to the forward deck 45 automatically with the second lockingdevices 80 by folding the forward side wall portions 45 inwardly of thevehicle body with the front bottom portion 42 pivoted rearwardly to itsupstanding position. This allows for a simple and easy change in thepositioning or the state of the loading floor 40, improving suchchangeover operation of the loading floor 40.

On the other hand, if the operating portion 84 c of the pivot arm 84 israised against the urging force of the elastic spring 85 with the frontdeck 45 raised rearwardly to its upstanding position and the forwardside wall portions 45 folded inwardly of the vehicle body, the engagingportion 84 is disengaged from the lock pin 78, and the forward side wallportions 45 can now be pivoted forwardly (i.e. second locking device 80in lock release state). When the forward side wall portion 45 pivotedforwardly and the operating portion 84 c of the pivot arm 84 isreleased, the abutting portion 84 d of the pivot arm 84 abuts the frontdeck board 42 a, and the pivot arm 84 will be positioned at the originalstate (shown in FIG. 12A).

[Switching of the Loading Floor Between the Extended State and theShortened State]

With reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C, the operation of the loadingfloor size changeover mechanism is described next, which has the foldingstructure mentioned above for performing the loading-platform sizechangeover between the extended state in which the loading floor 40 isenlarged or extended and the shortened states in which the loading floor40 is converted to a smaller size or shortened. FIG. 13A, 13B, and 13Care schematic perspective views showing a size change of the loadingfloor 40. More particularly, FIG. 13A is a schematic perspective view ofthe loading floor 40 in the extended state, FIG. 13B is a schematicperspective view of the loading floor 40 in an intermediate statebetween the extended state and the shortened state, and FIG. 13C is aschematic perspective view of the loading floor 40 in the shortenedstate.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the right and left first locking devices70 are operated to the lock release state, and the front wall portion 46is pivoted rearwardly about the laterally extending axis c and then thefront wall portion 46 is folded toward the front bottom portion 42. Andthe front wall portion 46 and the front bottom portion 42 are pivotedrearwardly about the laterally extending axis a to their upstandingpositions. The position of the first locking device 70 is aligned withthe lock holes 77A formed in the boss members 77 of the rear side wallportions 44, and the first locking device 70 is operated to the lockstate. This fixes the front wall portion 46 and the front bottom portion42 to the right and left rear side wall portions 44.

As shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the right and left front side wallportions 45 are pivoted rearwardly (inwardly) about the verticallyextending axis b to fold the front side wall portions 45 toward thefront bottom portion 42 in its erect or upright position. This causesthe lock pins 78 of the right and left forward side wall portions 45 toengage the the right and left second locking devices 80 of the frontbottom portion 42. This fixes the right and left front side wallportions 45 to the front bottom portion 42 in its erect or uprightposition.

As shown in FIG. 13C, the size of the loading floor 40 can be switchedfrom the extended state in which the fore-and-aft length of theloading-platform 40 (i.e. the total length of the loading floor 40) isextended, to the shortened state in which the length of the loadingfloor 40 (i.e. the total length of the loading floor 40) is shortened byfolding the front wall portion 46, the front bottom portion 42, and theright and left front side wall portions 45 in accordance with theprocedure described above. In this case, the state of the loading floor40 can be switched simply and quickly through use of the first andsecond locking devices 70 and 80 without a need to use any specifictools, thus improving efficiency of the size change operation of theloading floor 40.

And, the deck face of the front bottom portion 42 located in the insideof the loading floor 40, the inside surface (rear surface) of the frontwall portion 46, and the inside of the forward side wall portion 45 inthe extended state of the loading floor 40 are not exposed to theoutside of the loading floor 40 in the shortened state of the loadingfloor 40. This prevents degradation in appearance of the loading floor40 by the exposure of the deck face of the front bottom portion 42damaged by the loaded materials on the loading floor 40, the insidesurface (rear surface) of the front wall portion 46, and the insidesurface of the forward side wall portion 45 in the shortened state ofthe loading floor 40.

And, the material is loaded into the portion surrounded by the deck faceof the rear bottom portion 41, the inside surfaces of the right and leftrear side wall portions 44, the inside surface (front face) of the rearwall portion 43, and the deck face (rear surface) of the front bottomportion 42 in the shortened state of the loading floor 40. This preventsany damages to the external surfaces of the loading floor 40 by loadingthe loaded material.

When the right and left forward side wall portions 45 are fixed to thefront bottom portion 42 in the erect or upright position as shown inFIGS. 13B and 13C, the right and left second locking devices 80 areoperated to the lock release state, and the right and left front sidewall portions 45 are pivoted forwardly (outwardly) about the verticallyextending axis b. When this occurs, the brackets 66 supported to theforward side wall portion 45 abut the frame 67 supported to the rearside wall portion 44, thus placing the forward side wall portions 45 inposition in which they extend in the fore-and-aft direction.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the right and left first lockingdevices 70 are operated to the lock release state, and the front wallportion 46 and the front bottom portion 42 are pivoted togetherforwardly (downwardly) about the laterally extending axis a. When thishappens, the plate-shaped member 65 of the front bottom portion 42 abutsthe front underside of the rear deck board 41 a, and the right and leftportions of the rear deck board 42 a abut the upper surface side of theright and left plate-shaped members 45 d to place and maintain the frontdeck board 42 a and the rear deck board 41 a in position where the uppersurface of the front deck board 42 a is substantially flush with theupper surface of the rear deck board 41 a.

And the front wall portion 46 is pivoted forwardly (upwardly) about thelaterally extending axis c and the right and left first locking device70 are operated to the lock state. When this occurs, the forward wallportion 46 and the forward side wall portions 45 are placed andmaintained in proper position in the fore-and-aft direction and thelateral direction by the positioning mechanisms 74. The position of thedistal end portion of each operating member 72 and the position of thelock hole 45A of the corresponding forward side wall portion 45 arealigned with each other. This fixes the front bottom portion 42, thefront wall portion 46 and the right and left front side wall portions45.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the state of the loading floor 40 can be switchedfrom the shortened state in which the length of the loading floor 40(i.e. the total length of the loading floor 40) is shortened, to theextended state in which the fore-and-aft length of the loading-platform40 (i.e. the total length of the loading floor 40) is extended byunfolding the right and left front side wall portions 45, the front wallportion 46, and the front bottom portion 42 in accordance with theprocedure described above. In this case, the state of the loading floor40 can be switched or changed simply and quickly through use of thefirst and second locking devices 70 and 80 without a need to use anyspecific tools, thus improving efficiency of the state change operationof the loading floor 40.

[Detailed Structure of the Partition Member]

The detailed structure of the partition member 90 arranged between thedriving section 5 and the rear loading section 6 is described next withreference to FIGS. 14-19. FIG. 14 is a side view of an area around thepartition member 90. FIG. 15 is a lateral sectional plan view of an areaaround the partition member 90. FIG. 16 is a rear view of an area aroundthe partition member 90. FIGS. 17A and 17B are vertical sectional rearviews depicting a support structure in an upper portion of the partitionmember 90. FIG. 17A is the vertical sectional rear view of the partitionmember 90 fixed to the ROPS 30. FIG. 17B is the vertical sectional rearview of the partition member 90 not fixed to the ROPS 30. FIG. 18 is aside view depicting the structure of the rear lock mechanism 110 of therear seat bottom 14 a. FIG. 19 is a rear view depicting the structure ofthe rear lock mechanism 110 of the rear seat bottom 14 a.

As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the partition member 90, which divides thedriving section 5 and the rear loading section 6 (and which forms a backwall of the driving section 5), is provided in the rear of the drivingsection 5. The position of this partition member 90 can be changed to arearward position (position shown by solid lines in FIG. 14) where themember 90 is moved rearwardly with the loading floor 40 in the shortenedstate, and to a forward position (position shown by dashed lines in FIG.14) where the partition member 90 is moved forwardly with the loadingfloor 40 in the extended state.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the right and left front brackets 86 arefixed to the lower portions of the vertical frame portions 32 b of themiddle support column 32. These right and left front brackets 86 extendlaterally outwardly and rearwardly from the lower parts of the verticalframe portions 32 b of the middle support column 32. Vertical sectionsof the right and left front brackets 86 have downwardly opening bracketshapes and the distal ends thereof have vertically oriented holestherein.

Right and left rear brackets 87 are fixedly attached to and extendforwardly from lower portions of the rear support columns 34. Verticalsections of the right and left rear brackets 87 have downwardly openingbracket shapes and the distal ends thereof have vertically orientedholes formed therein. Each of the vertically oriented holes in the frontbrackets 86 has a front support member 88 fitted therein. Avertically-oriented front hole portion 88 a in which lower pivot 94 isinserted is formed in the front support member 88, a lower part of whichhas a lift prevention member 88 b which prevents the lower pivot 94 frommoving upwardly.

Each of the vertically oriented holes in the rear brackets 87 has a rearsupport member 89 fitted therein. A vertically-oriented rear holeportion 89 a in which lower pivot 94 is inserted is formed in the rearsupport member 89, a lower part of which has a lift prevention member 89b which prevents the lower pivot 94 from moving upwardly.

When the lower pivots 94 are inserted in the front or the rear holeportions 88 a or 89 a and are pushed from above with some force, thelower pivots 94 are inserted into the lift prevention members 88 b or 89b. Lifting of the lower pivots 94 is prevented by the frictional holdingforce of the lift prevention members 88 b or 89 b, which prevents thelower pivots 94 from slipping out of the front or the rear hole portions88 a or 89 a with vertical movements of the partition member 90 caused,for example, by vibration during travel of the work vehicle. The lowerpivots 94 can be pulled out of the front or the rear hole portions 88 aor 89 a by pulling the partition member 90 upwardly with some forceagainst the frictional holding force of the lift prevention members 88 bor 89 b. The width or the lateral distance between the right and leftrear hole portions 89 a of the rear support members 89 is set to be thesame as the width or the lateral distance between the right and leftfront hole portions 88 a of the right and left front support members 88.The positions of the rear hole portions 89 a in the lateral directionare set to be substantially the same as the positions of the front holeportions 88 a in the lateral direction.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the partition member 90 includes a framemember 91, a net member 92, right and left upper pivots 93, and theright and left lower pivots 94. The frame member 91 includes right andleft vertical frames 91 a, the upper frame 91 b extending between andfixed to the upper parts of the right and left vertical frames 91 a, andthe lower frame 91 c extending between and fixed to the lower parts ofthe right and left vertical frames 91 a. Thus, a rectangular opening isformed that is long in the lateral direction in a rear view, and that issurrounded by the right and left vertical frames 91 a, the upper frame91 b, and the lower frame 91 c.

The width W1 in the lateral direction of the partition member 90 is setto be narrower than the width W2 between the inside surfaces of theright and left rear support column 34, and the width W1 in the lateraldirection of the partition member 90 is set to be a dimension so as toform a predetermined gap with the inside surfaces of the right and leftrail members 96 described later. This configuration simplifies thesupport structure of the partition member 90 while covering a large areabetween the driving section 5 and the rear loading sections 6 by thepartition member 90.

The net member 92 is formed by attaching a net 92 a with a plurality ofair holes made of for example, a wire net, a resin net, or punched metalto a frame-shaped frame 92 b formed of band-plate material. The netmember 92 is fixed to the frame member 91 by removably fastening theframe-like frame 92 b to the frame member 91 from behind. Right and leftlaterally extending upper pivots 93 are fixed to upper ends of the rightand left vertical frames 91 a to be concentric with each other. Rightand left vertically extending lower pivots 94 are fixed to lowerportions of the right and left vertical frames 91 a via right and leftsupport brackets 95. The width or the lateral distance between the rightand left lower pivots 94 is set to be the same as the width or thelateral distance between the front and the rear hole portions 88 a and89 a of the front and the rear support members 88 and 89.

The seat back 14 b of the backseat 14 is fastened and fixed to the frontside of the lower frame 91 c so that the seat back 14 b of the backseat14 is configured to move with the partition member 90.

As shown in FIGS. 14, 17A and 17B, right and left rail members 96 thatare long in the fore-and-aft direction are fixed to inside of the rightand left fore-and-aft frame portions 35 b of an upper rear frame 35.Vertical sections of the right and left rail members 96 as seen frombehind have laterally outwardly opening C-shapes and the rail members 96are fixed to the right and left fore-and-aft frame portions 35 b. Aguide hole portion or a groove 96A that is long in the fore-and-aftdirection is formed in an inward surface of each the right and left railmembers 96, and the width of this guide hole portion 96A is set to besomewhat larger than the outside diameter of the upper pivot 93. Thefront and the rear positioning hole portions 96B and 96C, where theguide hole portions 96A are extended downwardly, are provided in thefront and rear end portions of the guide hole portions 96A. The holewidth of each of the front and the rear positioning hole portions 96Band 96C is set to accommodate the upper pivot 93 without difficulty andto make the gap with the upper pivot 93 smaller.

The right and left upper pivots 93 of the partition member 90 are fitwithin the right and left guide hole portions 96A of the right and leftrail members 96, and a distal end portion of each upper pivot 93 withinthe guide hole portion 96 has a washer 97 for preventing the pivot 93from coming out of the guide hole. This structure allows the upper partsof the partition member 90 to be supported for sliding movement in thefore-and-aft direction along the right and left guide hole portions 96Aof the right and left rail members 96.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the rear seat bottom 14 a of the backseat14 is supported to be pivotable about the laterally extending axis P3located at a front lower portion of the seat bottom 14 a. That is, inthis embodiment, the backseat posture change mechanism is a pivotmechanism. This backseat posture change mechanism allows the posture ofthe rear seat bottom 14 a to be changed to an upright posture in whichthe rear seat bottom 14 a is pivoted forwardly its upright position andto a prone posture in which the rear seat bottom 14 a is pivotedrearwardly to its prone position.

A bracket 36 is fixed to an upper forward side of each backseat supportframe 25. The right and left support brackets 37 fixed to forward lowerportions of the rear seat bottom 14 a are supported to the brackets 36to be pivotable about a laterally extending axis P3. A laterallyextending hole portion 37 a is formed in each support bracket 37. Thus,by moving the seat back 14 b forwardly together with the partitionmember 90 to change the posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a to theupright posture, the posture of the backseat 14 is changed to the firstposture in which the backseat 14 is in a non-use state where passengerscan not sit in the front side of the loading floor 40 in the extendedstate. Also, by moving the seat back 14 b rearwardly together with thepartition member 90 to change the posture of the rear seat bottom 14 ato the prone posture, the posture of the backseat 14 is changed to thesecond posture in which the backseat 14 is in a use state wherepassengers can sit in the front side of the loading floor 40 in theshortened state.

The positioning abutting portion 36 a which restricts the forward pivotrange of the rear seat bottom 14 a is defined in a lower portion of thebracket 36. A front lock mechanism 100 is attached to each forward endportion of the brackets 86. Each front lock mechanism 100 includes anoperating portion 101 and a pin 102. When the operating portion 101 ofthe front lock mechanism 100 is pulled laterally outwardly, the pin 102that goes into the hole portion 37 a of the support bracket 37 is movedlaterally outwardly.

By rotating the operating portion 101 in one direction with theoperating portion 101 pulled laterally outwardly, the operating portion101 and the pin 102 can be held in respective laterally outwardpositions. And, by rotating the operating portion 101 in the oppositedirection with the operating portion 101 pulled laterally outwardly, thepin projects inwardly by an urging force of an elastic spring (notshown) within the front lock mechanism 100.

Thus, when the rear seat bottom 14 a is pivoted forwardly with theoperating portion 101 of the front lock mechanism 100 pulled laterallyoutwardly, the lower end portion of the support bracket 37 abuts thepositioning abutting portion 36 a of the bracket 36 so that the rearseat bottom 14 a is placed in the position where it is pivoted to itsforward most position. At this time, the upright posture of the rearseat bottom 14 a in the position where it is in the most forwardposition can be maintained by rotating the operating portion 101 of thefront lock mechanism 100 in said opposite direction, allowing the pin102 of the front lock mechanism 100 to enter the hole portion 37 a ofthe support bracket 37.

By pulling the operating portion 101 of the front lock mechanism 100laterally outwardly when the rear seat bottom 14 a is held in theupright posture, the pin 102 is disengaged from the hole portion 37 aand the rear seat bottom 14 a is released from the upright posture. Andthe posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a may be changed by pressing downthe rear seat bottom 14 a rearwardly to the prone posture. In this case,it is possible to keep the operating portion 101 of the front lockmechanism 100 in its outwardly pulled position in advance for the nextposture change operation of the rear seat bottom 14 a by rotating theoperating portion 101 of the front lock mechanism 100 in said onedirection while it is pulled laterally outwardly.

Since the rear seat bottom 14 a is held in the upright posture as shownin FIGS. 4 and 14, a predetermined gap can be secured between the rearof the rear seat bottom 14 a in the upright posture and the front endportion of the loading floor 40 in the extended state and in the dumpingposition. Furthermore, the predetermined gap can be secured between anupper front portion of the rear seat bottom 14 a in the upright posture,and the partition member 90 in the forward position. Thus, anyinterference between the rear seat bottom 14 a in the upright postureand the loading floor 40 in the extended state can be prevented and anyinterference between the rear seat bottom 14 a in the upright postureand the partition member 90 in the forward position can be prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, right and left support brackets 38, eachhaving an L-shaped vertical cross section in a side view, are fastenedto the underside of the rear seat bottom 14 a at the right and left sideportions of a rear part of the rear seat bottom 14 a. The band-plateshaped reinforcement ribs 38 a are fixed to the right and left supportbrackets 38, which allow the rear seat bottom 14 a to support the loadacting on it through the right and left support bracket 38 withoutdifficulty. A lower vertical plate-like frame 39 spans between and isfixed to the front side of the right and left support brackets 38. Rightand left support frames 39 a, each having an upwardly openingbracket-shaped cross section in a rear sectional view is fixedlyattached to lower parts of the right and left the lower frames 39.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the rear seat bottom 14 a is in the proneposture, the right and left support frames 39 a are configured to besupported by the rear frames 26 through the seat support members 18 madeof resin, or wood fixed to the upper surfaces of the right and left rearframes 26. Thereby, when the posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a ischanged from the upright posture to the prone posture, the rear of therear seat bottom 14 a are stably supported by the right and left rearframes 26 through the right and left support brackets 38, the lowerframes 39, and the right and left support frames 39 a.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a rear portion of the rear seat bottom 14has a rear lock mechanism 110, which locks the rear seat bottom 14 a inthe prone posture. The rear lock mechanism 110 includes right and leftarm members 111,112, a linkage rod 113, and a plate-shaped member 117.

The left arm member 111 is supported by the left support bracket 38 tobe pivotable about a pivot 114 having a fore-and-aft extending axis. Anengaging portion 111 a extending outwardly to the left and an incliningportion 111 b, which is inclined inwardly and downwardly and formed in alower portion of the engaging portion 111 a, are formed in a lower partof the left arm member 111. The right arm member 112 is supported by theright support bracket 38 to be pivotable about a pivot 114 having afore-and-aft extending axis. An engaging portion 112 a extendingoutwardly to the right and an inclining portion 111 b, which is inclinedinwardly and downwardly and formed in a lower portion of the engagingportion 112 a, are formed in a lower part of the right arm member 112.

A linkage rod 113 is rotatably supported by and between an upper part ofthe left arm member 111 and a vertically central part of the right armmember 112 thereby, the right and left arm members 111,112 areoperatively connected. An operating member (not shown) is provided to aleft-hand side portion of the linkage rod 113 or the left arm member111, and the rear lock mechanism 110 can be released from the left outerside of the backseat 14 by this operating member.

Elastic springs 115 are fit around the pivots 114 of the right and leftarm members 111,112. Each elastic spring 115 is arranged between rightor left arm member 111,112 and the respective reinforcement rib 38 a andthe lower parts of the right and left arm members 111,112 are urgedlaterally outwardly by the elastic springs 115. The stopper pin 116extending in the fore-and-aft direction is fixed to the upper part ofthe right arm member 112, and the pivot range of the right and left armmember 111,112 is restricted by the abutment of this stopper pin 116against the right end edge of an upper portion of the right supportbracket 38.

The plate-shaped horizontal plate-like members 117 extend forwardly andinwardly from lower parts of the right and left rear support columns 34by the lower parts of the right and left rear support columns 34. Theheight of the right and left plate-shaped members 117 is determined suchthat the engaging portions 111 a and 112 a of the right and left armmembers 111,112 abut the under sides of the plate-shaped members 117without any gap when the posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a is changedto the prone posture.

With the structure of the rear lock mechanism 110 as described above,when the linkage rod 113 is pulled to the left by actuating theoperating member with the rear seat bottom 14 a in the prone posture,engaging portions 111 a and 112 a of the right and left arm members111,112 are released from the plate-shaped members 117, which allows therear seat bottom 14 a to be pivoted forwardly and upwardly (lock releasestate of the rear lock mechanism 110). In this case, if the operatingmember is released, the lower parts of the right and left arm member111,112 are pivoted laterally outwardly by the urging force of theelastic springs 115, and pivoting of the right and left arm members111,112 are restricted by the stopper pin 116.

On the other hand, when the front lock mechanism 100 is operated to thelock release state and the rear seat bottom 14 a is pivoted rearwardlyand downwardly with the rear seat bottom 14 a in the upright posture,the guide portions 111 b and 112 b of the right and left arm members111,112 abut the plate-shaped members 117 to pivot the lower parts ofthe right and left arm members 111,112 inwardly. And the engagingportions 111 a and 112 a of the arm members 111,112 move to underneaththe plate-shaped members 117 by the urging force of the elastic springs115 and engage with the plate-shaped members 117, thus preventing theupper part of the rear seat bottom 14 a from being pivoted upwardly(lock state of the rear lock mechanism 110). Through use of the frontand the rear lock mechanisms 100,110, the posture of the rear seatbottom 14 a can be changed simply and easily while allowing the rearseat bottom 14 a to be securely fixed in the prone posture and theupright posture with use of the front and the rear lock mechanisms100,110.

[Positional Change of the Partition Member]

Positional change of the partition member 90 in the fore-and-aftdirection of the vehicle between a forward position and a rearwardposition by the partition member position change mechanism is describednext with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 14, and 17. With the loading floor 40switched to the shortened state, the posture of the rear seat bottom 14a changed to the prone posture, and the partition member 90 in therearward position as shown in FIG. 1, the partition member 90 is pushedup slightly as shown in FIG. 14. This causes the lower pivots 94 to moveup and out of the rear hole portions 89 a of the rear support members 89attached to the rear brackets 87, which places the lower part of thepartition member 90 in condition for movement in the fore-and-aftdirection (see FIG. 17B) When this happens, the upper pivots 93 move tothe upper guide hole portions 96A from the rear positioning portions 96Cof the rail members 96, placing the upper part of the partition member90 in condition for slide movement in the fore-and-aft direction alongthe guide hole portions 96A of the rail members 96. That is, thepartition member 90 can be positioned for slide movement in thefore-and-aft direction simply by pushing the partition member 90upwardly.

Next, the partition member 90 is slid forward along the guide holeportions 96A of the rail members until the positions of the lower pivots94 are aligned with the front hole portions 88 a of the front supportmembers 88 attached to the front brackets 86, and the lower pivots 94are dropped into the front hole portions 88 a of the front supportmembers 88, where the partition member 90 is pushed downwardly by asmall amount to complete the position change of the partition member 90to the forward position (see FIG. 17B). When this happens, the upperpivots 93 move to the front positioning portion 96B downwardly from theguide hole portions 96A of the rail members 96 with the downwardmovement of the partition member 90, where movement of the upper part ofthe partition member 90 in the fore-and-aft direction is restricted bythe front positioning portions 96B. That is, movement of the partitionmember 90 in the fore-and-aft direction can be restricted and the lowerpart of the partition member 90 is fixed against the brackets 86 simplyby pushing the partition member 90 downwardly.

The mode of the driving section 5 can be changed from the double-rowseat mode (the four-or-five-seater mode) shown in FIG. 1 to thesingle-row mode (two-seater mode) shown in FIG. 2 by changing theposition of the partition member 90 to the forward position, changingthe posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a to the upright posture, and byswitching the loading floor 40 to the extended state.

As shown in FIG. 2, with the loading floor 40 switched to the extendedstate, the posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a changed to the uprightposture, and the partition member 90 moved to the forward position, thepartition member 90 is placed in condition for rearward movement byswitching the loading floor 40 to the shortened state, and by changingthe posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a to the prone posture.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, when the partition member 90 is pushedupwardly by a small amount, the lower pivots 94 move up and out of thefront hole portions 88 a of the front support member 88 attached to thefront brackets 86, placing the lower part of the partition member 90 incondition for movement in the fore-and-aft direction (see FIG. 17B).When this occurs, the upper pivots 93 move from the front positioningportion 96B upwardly to the guide hole portions 96A of the rail members96, placing the upper part of the partition member 90 in condition forsliding movement in the fore-and-aft direction along the guide holeportions 96A of the rail members 96. That is, the partition member 90can be positioned for slide movement in the fore-and-aft directionsimply by pushing the partition member 90 upwardly.

Next, the partition member 90 is slid rearward along the guide holeportions 96A of the rail members 96 until the positions of the lowerpivots 94 are aligned with the rear hole portions 89 a of the rearsupport members 89 attached to the rear brackets 87, and the lowerpivots 94 are dropped into the rear hole portions 89 a of the rearsupport members 89, where the partition member 90 is pushed downwardlyby a small amount to complete the position change of the partitionmember 90 to the rearward position (see FIG. 17A). When this occurs, theupper pivots 93 move to the rear positioning portion 96C downwardly fromthe guide hole portions 96A of the rail members 96 with the downwardmovement of the partition member 90, where movement of the upper part ofthe partition member 90 in the fore-and-aft direction is restricted bythe rear positioning portions 96C. That is, movement of the partitionmember 90 in the fore-and-aft direction can be restricted and the lowerpart of the partition member 90 is fixed against the rear brackets 87simply by pushing the partition member 90 downwardly. Thus, the mode ofthe driving section 5 can be changed from the single-row mode(two-seater mode) shown in FIG. 2 to the double-row seat mode(four-or-five-seater mode) shown in FIG. 1. By adopting theabove-described structures for the loading floors 40 and the partitionmember 90, etc., the user-friendly work vehicle can be obtained and theworkability of work operations using the work vehicle can be improved.

And, when the posture of the rear seat bottom 14 a is changed to theupright posture with the loading floor 40 changed to the shortenedstate, the space above such parts as the engine E located underneath therear seat bottom 14 a can be exposed, facilitating the maintenance ofthe engine E etc. and improving the efficiency of the maintenance workon the work vehicle. In this case, since the upper part of the engine Eand the transmission case 8 can be exposed to a greater extent when theloading floor 40 is moved to its dumping position, the maintenance ofthe engine E and the transmission case 8, etc. can be performed moreeasily by moving the loading floor 40 to the dumping position.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment described above, the loading floor sizechangeover mechanism was shown and described in which the right and leftforward side wall portions 45 were folded rearwardly after raising andfolding the front bottom portion 42 with the front wall portion 46rearwardly to the upright position. Different order for folding thefront wall portion 46, the front bottom portion 42, and the right andleft forward side wall portions 45 can be adapted. For example, theloading-platform size changeover mechanism may be configured such thatthe front bottom portion 42 with the front wall portion 46 are raisedrearwardly to the upright position folded after folding the right andleft forward side wall portions 45 rearwardly.

While in the first embodiment described above, the loading-platform sizechangeover mechanism was shown and described in which the loading floor40 was switched between the extended state and the shortened state byfolding the front wall portion 46, the front bottom portion 42, and theright and left forward side wall portions 45 rearwardly, theloading-platform size changeover mechanism such as one shown in FIG. 20Aor 20B may be adapted.

In the loading-platform size changeover mechanism shown in FIG. 20A, theloading floor 40 includes the front loading floor 40F and the rearloading floor 4OR while the front bottom portion 42, the right and leftforward side wall portions 45, and the front wall portion 46 are allfixed in place. The lower part of the rear end of the front loadingfloor 40F is supported to the front end of the rear loading floor 40R tobe pivotable about a laterally extending axis d. Thus, the entire frontloading floor 40F is pivotably supported in one piece by the rearloading floor 40R about the laterally extending axis d. Thus the loadingfloor 40 can be switched between an extended state in which the totallength of the loading floor 40 is extended with the entire front loadingfloor 40F pivoted forwardly as shown with solid lines in FIG. 20A, and ashortened state in which the total length of the loading floor 40 isshortened with the front loading floor 40F pivoted rearwardly andupwardly in one piece as shown with dashed lines in FIG. 20A. Inaddition, a locking device (not shown) which fixes the front loadingfloor 40F with respect to the rear loading-platform 40R in the extendedstate and the shortened state is provided between the front loadingfloor 4OF and the rear loading floor 40R.

In the loading-platform size changeover mechanism shown in FIG. 20B, theloading floor 40 includes the front loading floor 40F and the rearloading floor 40R while the front bottom portion 42, the right and leftforward side wall portions 45, and the front wall portion 46 are allfixed. The front loading floor 40F is supported by the rear loadingfloor 40R for slide movement in the fore-and-aft direction along thewall surfaces of the rear loading floor 40R through a sliding mechanism(for example, slide rails, slide guides, etc. not shown). Thereby, thefront loading floor 40F is supported by and to be slidable with respectto the rear loading floor 40R. The loading floor 40 is configured to beswitchable between an extended state in which the total length of theloading floor 40 is extended with the front loading floor 40F slidforward in one piece as shown with solid lines in FIG. 20B, and ashortened state in which the total length of the loading floor 40 isshortened with the front loading floor 40F slid rearwardly in one pieceas shown with dashed-lines in FIG. 20B. In addition, a locking device(not shown) which fixes the front loading floor 40F with respect to therear loading-platform 40R in the extended state and the shortened stateis provided between the front loading floor 40F and the rear loadingfloor 40R.

And, although not illustrated, a loading-platform size changeovermechanism may be adapted in which the loading floor 40 may be ofintegral one-piece configuration without adopting a folding or slidingstructure (so that the total length of the loading floor 40 cannot beextended or contracted), and this one piece integral loading floor 40 isslidably supported to the rear frame 26. And the front wall portion 46and the front bottom portion 42 of the loading floor 40 can be movedforwardly and rearwardly by sliding the loading floor 40 in one piecewith respect to the rear frame 26 in the fore-and-aft direction.

Third Embodiment

A backseat posture change mechanism having a different structure may beadopted in lieu of the backseat posture change mechanism, in the firstand second embodiments described above, which change the posture of thebackseat 14 to the first and second postures. More specifically, forexample, the rear seat bottom 14 a in the prone posture is fixed tobackseat support frame 25, etc., and the seat back 14 b is fixed to thepartition member 90. And the backseat posture change mechanism may beconfigured to change the posture of the backseat 14 to the first posturein which the seat back 14 b is moved forward, and to the second posturein which the seat back 14 b is moved rearward. In this case, the heightof the lower end of the front bottom portion 42 in the extended state isset to be higher than the height of an upper end of the rear seat bottom14 a so that a predetermined gap is formed in the vertical directionbetween the rear seat bottom 14 a and the front bottom portion 42 in theextended state.

Alternatively, for example, the rear seat bottom 14 a in the proneposture is fixed to backseat support frame 25, etc., and the seat back14 b is supported to and is pivotable forwardly and rearwardly about alaterally extending axis at a rear of the rear seat bottom 14 a. And thebackseat posture change mechanism may be configured to change theposture of the backseat 14 to the first posture in which the seat back14 b is lying forward, and to the second posture in which the seat back14 b is upright. In this case, the height of the lower end of the frontbottom portion 42 in the extended state is set to be higher than theheight of an upper end of the seat back 14 b in the forwardly lyingposition so that a predetermined gap is formed in the vertical directionbetween the seat back 14 b in the forwardly lying position and the frontbottom portion 42 in the extended state.

Alternatively, for example, the seat back 14 b is supported to and ispivotable forwardly and rearwardly about a laterally extending axis atthe rear of the rear seat bottom 14 a and the rear seat bottom 14 a issupported to and pivotable forwardly and rearwardly about a laterallyextending axis at the front of the backseat support frame 25. And thebackseat posture change mechanism may be configured to change theposture of the backseat 14 to the first posture in which the seat back14 b is lying forward and the rear seat bottom 14 a is upright, and tothe second posture in which the rear seat bottom 14 a is lyingrearwardly and the seat back 14 b is upright.

And, for example, the rear seat bottom 14 a is supported by backseatsupport frames 25, etc. for sliding movement in the fore-and-aftdirection. The backseat posture change mechanism may be configured tochange the posture of the backseat 14 to the first posture in which thebackseat 14 is slid forwardly, and to the second posture in which thebackseat 14 is slid rearwardly. In this case, the seat back 14 b may beconfigured to slide with the rear seat bottom 14 a, or the seat back 14b may be configured to move independently from the rear seat bottom 14a. When the configuration in which the seat back 14 b slides with therear seat bottom 14 a is adopted, the seat back 14 b is fixed to a rearportion of the rear seat bottom 14 a for sliding together. In addition,the seat back 14 b may be supported to and is pivotable forwardly andrearwardly about a laterally extending axis at the rear of the rear seatbottom 14 a and the seat back 14 b may lie forward and also may beslidable.

Although a loading floor 40 including a flap member (the rear wallportion 43, the rear side wall portions 44, the forward side wallportions 45, the front wall portion 46) was used as an example in thefirst, second, and the third embodiments described above, the presentinvention can be applied equally to a loading floor in which the heightsof the flap members differ (not shown), or to a loading floor with aflat deck without flap members (not shown). Also the present inventioncan be applied similarly to a loading floor of a van type having aceiling member (not shown).

1. A pickup-style work vehicle comprising: a front driver's seat; abackseat; a loading floor located rearwardly of the backseat, theloading floor capable of being moved to a dumping position; a loadingfloor size changeover mechanism that changes a size of the loading floorbetween a first state in which a front wall portion and a front bottomportion of the loading floor are moved forwardly in a fore-and-aftdirection of a vehicle and a second state in which the front wallportion and the front bottom portion of the loading floor are movedrearwardly in the fore-and-aft direction; a backseat posture changemechanism that changes a posture of the backseat between a first posturewhich is a non-use state and a second posture which is a use state, afore-and-aft dimension of the backseat in the first posture being lessthan the fore-and-aft dimension of the backseat in the second posture;wherein the backseat in the first posture is located immediatelyforwardly of the loading floor in the first state and the backseat inthe second posture is located immediately forwardly of the loading floorin the second state.
 2. The pickup-style work vehicle in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the loading floor size changeover mechanism is afolding mechanism that allows the front wall portion and the front floorportion to be folded in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. 3.The pickup-style work vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein thebackseat posture change mechanism is a pivoting mechanism that allowsthe backseat to be pivoted about an axis laterally extending withrespect to the vehicle wherein a seat bottom surface, to be sat on, ofthe backseat extends vertically when the backseat is in the firstposture and the seat bottom surface of the backseat extends horizontallywhen the backseat is in the second posture.
 4. The pickup-style workvehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the backseat is supported byone or more back seat support frames and the loading floor is supportedby one or more rear frames connected with the one or more backseatsupport frames.